The Times, Telegraph, Independent, Daily Mail, Metro, Independent i and the online edition of the Guardian all cover the arson attack on Wednesday evening at the Church of the Multiplication near Lake Kinneret. In Christian tradition it is thought to be the site of Jesus’ miracle of the fishes and loaves and the church houses rare, ancient mosaics. The attack is thought to have been carried out by Jewish extremists after offensive Hebrew graffiti was found at the site. All reports note that the arson was swiftly and strongly condemned by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called for a quick and robust investigation. 16 arrests were made yesterday of youths from a West Bank settlement, but all were later released.

The Times notes that the Druze community in Israel has been holding rallies in support of Syrian Druze facing an increasing threat from Islamist groups, especially after they captured the town of Hader this week, close to the Israel-Syria border. Israeli leaders have pledged to do all that they can to protect Syria’s Druze minority. In the Guardian, Ian Black looks at the Syrian Civil War from Israel’s vantage point, noting a reluctance to become involved at all in the fighting, but a desire to protect the Druze. He also notes that Israel continues to treat wounded Syrians who arrive at the border.

The Guardian online reports that Egypt’s President al-Sisi has been invited to meet Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street, who will “raise matters of concern” according to a spokeswoman. A Times editorial supports Cameron’s decision to issue the invitation, despite Egypt’s human rights record since al-Sisi seized power in 2013. Calling al-Sisi an “autocratic ally,” the editorial explains that the Egyptian leader has taken important stances fighting Islamists in Sinai, cutting ties with Hamas and opposing Iran.

In Syria, the Times online reports that Kurdish forces are advancing to the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, having defeated ISIS to take the town of Tal Abyad, with the help if US-led air strikes. However, the Financial Times online warns that ISIS is blockading oil to northern Syria and may potentially starve the population due to lack of fuel.

In the Israeli news, the arson attack at the Church of the Multiplication is a major item and is covered prominently in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom, which focuses its main headline on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s insistence on a strong investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, Haaretz notes that there have been several attacks on churches and mosques in recent years, but few convictions.

The top item in Yediot Ahronot and Maariv, also covered in Israel Hayom and Israel Radio news, is the latest comments made by Culture Minister Miri Regev in a clash with artists over the limits to her ministry’s budget. Regev has insisted that she will decide on allocations and that her ministry is not obliged to fund projects which she believes denigrate the State of Israel. Some artists have publicly accused her of censorship and stifling free expression. In Regev’s latest comments recorded by Channel Two, she apparently calls some artists “tight-assed, hypocritical and ingrates.”

Israel Radio news covers comments made by Prime Minister Netanyahu in response to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s criticism of Israel for the harm caused to civilians during Operation Protective Edge. Ban appeared to single out Israel for criticism while addressing a report on the dangers facing children in war zones across the world. Netanyahu called it “hypocrisy” and a “black day for the United Nations.”